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  • Results 1 to 9 of 9

    Thread: Is it safe to add baking soda when treating with Proform C?

    1. #1
      Bengalcats888 is offline Member
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      Is it safe to add baking soda when treating with Proform C?

      Hi,

      I starting treating with Proform-C.

      I see my KH and PH dropping. Right now KH is at 6 drops(107.4).
      It was 7 drops yesterday. I think the cause of the KH drop is
      the Aquascape Dry Bacteria, I’m using too much(?). I read Beneficial
      Bacteria acidifies the water?

      The pH is 7.4 right now which has me worried. I have 2 more days
      of Proform C. I know the 25% water change will help a little.

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    2. #2
      richtoybox's Avatar
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      There is no problem with adding the baking soda with the Proform C. The filter bacteria converting ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate produce a lot of acid which will consume the KH, but the Aquascapes Dry Bacteria, is not a source of the beneficial filter bacteria. I think it is designed for use in the aquascape ponds to digest the solids, which are trapped in the gravel, in an anaerobic environment, like a septic tank. Anaerobic digestion has no place in a koi pond.
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      Bengalcats888 is offline Member
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      Thank you Rich.

      This is their specs. Please let me know if it is the same as BB used to cycle, as the liquid type.

      Beneficial Bacteria (Granular)
      For ponds and water gardens
      Aquascape Beneficial Bacteria contains 8 pure strains of concentrated beneficial bacteria, including PSB bacteria and enzymes. This combination of natural cleaners helps to maintain a strong biological balance in your pond. PSB (Photo Synthetic Bacteria) help quickly clear pond water by clumping fine debris and allowing it to settle.

      Because ornamental water gardens are enclosed ecosystems, sometimes factors like fish load, uneaten fish food, organics such as leaves, sludge and unwanted debris may disrupt the balance. Aquascape Beneficial.

      Bacteria maintains a strong biological balance; providing clean, clear and healthy water conditions.

      Contains 8 pure strains of bacteria including Photo Synthetic
      3 billion CFU per gram potency
      Contains marigold and vitamin B
      Ideal for ponds of all sizes
      Safe for fish, plants, pets and wildlife

    4. #4
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      As it states it is for settlement of solids and solids can disrupt biological balance. If you have an Aquascape type pond, then there may be a place for these bacteria, but it is much more effective to have a pond that is not full of rocks, taking up volume the fish would normally swim in, and have a mechanical filter that removes the debris instead of trying to digest it in the pond. I think the Aquascape ponds look nice and if you do as their installers are taught and have the pond completely torn down and cleaned every year, they probably work, but if allowed to just cook on their own, the black goo down in the rocks is toxic to fish and humans.
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    5. #5
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      Quote Originally Posted by Bengalcats888 View Post
      Hi,

      I starting treating with Proform-C.

      I see my KH and PH dropping. Right now KH is at 6 drops(107.4).
      It was 7 drops yesterday. I think the cause of the KH drop is
      the Aquascape Dry Bacteria, I’m using too much(?). I read Beneficial
      Bacteria acidifies the water?

      The pH is 7.4 right now which has me worried. I have 2 more days
      of Proform C. I know the 25% water change will help a little.

      FWIW - the Proform-C will make your pH drop like a rock - the pH will recover on its own a day or two after the treatment ends - just keep adding baking soda periodically. My pH dropped by about 0.4 during my last treatments.

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      Bengalcats888 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by kby103 View Post
      FWIW - the Proform-C will make your pH drop like a rock - the pH will recover on its own a day or two after the treatment ends - just keep adding baking soda periodically. My pH dropped by about 0.4 during my last treatments.
      Good to know!
      I will treat 2nd day. It was still pH 7.4 yesterday. 2nd dose ProformC will lower it into the danger zone?

      So I should add BD to bring KH above 125 then add 2nd dose of proform?

    7. #7
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      Quote Originally Posted by Bengalcats888 View Post
      Good to know!
      I will treat 2nd day. It was still pH 7.4 yesterday. 2nd dose ProformC will lower it into the danger zone?

      So I should add BD to bring KH above 125 then add 2nd dose of proform?
      I would recommend continuing the Proform-C treatment on schedule. Just continue to add baking soda as well.

      By the way, what was the pH before you started the treatment?

    8. #8
      Bengalcats888 is offline Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by kby103 View Post
      I would recommend continuing the Proform-C treatment on schedule. Just continue to add baking soda as well.

      By the way, what was the pH before you started the treatment?
      pH was 8.2 before the treatment.

      I added baking soda, waited one hour, then started 2nd dose Proform.
      pH was 8.2 after water change. I’m going to take KH and pH at night.

    9. #9
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      Knowing that the proform will lower your KH and PH, I would bring the KH up to 9-10 drops and your PH should stay stable with your treatment...

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